except those who join to a nation in which there is between you and them a treaty, or they come to you with their chests constricted from fighting you or fighting their nation. Had Allah willed, He would have given them power over you, and then they would have certainly fought you.
Ini berikut yang sesudahnya dinasakhkan oleh ayat perang. (Sekiranya Allah menghendaki) agar mereka menguasaimu (tentulah Dia akan menjadikan mereka berkuasa atasmu) yaitu dengan menguatkan hati mereka (sehingga pastilah mereka memerangimu) tetapi Allah tiada menghendaki demikian, maka ditiupkan-Nya ke dalam hati mereka rasa takut dan ciut.